North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust

09/11/2025

Today is Remembrance Sunday, an opportunity to remember those who have served their country, and those who have given their lives in service of their country, in wars past and present.

As a trust accredited by the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA) we are committed to providing continual support to the Armed Forces community.

Find out more: combined.nhs.uk/about/policies-and-procedures/armed-forces-covenant/

06/11/2025

You are invited to attend Combined Healthcare’s hybrid public Trust Board meeting on Thursday 13 November at 10am.

A link will be made available on our website prior to the event: combined.nhs.uk/about/our-board/board-meetings.

Ask the Board is also available to make a comment, suggestion or ask a question in advance of the meeting: https://www.combined.nhs.uk/about/our-board/ask-the-board-online/.

03/11/2025

Chat to a mental health professional, at any time of the day or night, by sending a text to 07312 263117 📞

This free text messaging service can provide text-based crisis intervention, emotional support, and signposting to appropriate resources or services, discretely and privately.

Find out more: https://www.combined.nhs.uk/news/latest-updates/combined-healthcares-crisis-mental-health-text-service-offers-24-7-mental-health-support-via-text-message/

01/11/2025

You are invited to attend Combined Healthcare’s hybrid public Trust Board meeting on Thursday 13 November at 10am.

A link will be made available on our website prior to the event: combined.nhs.uk/about/our-board/board-meetings.

Ask the Board is also available to make a comment, suggestion or ask a question in advance of the meeting: https://www.combined.nhs.uk/about/our-board/ask-the-board-online/.

30/10/2025

As Stoptober draws to a close, don't forget to keep that non-smoker status going and remember that there is support available!

Find out more: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

29/10/2025

Less time in the sunshine has left you feeling tired, achy or less bright? You may be suffering from a lack of vitamin D due to less daylight.

Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter to help with potential symptoms and side effects.

More information can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

28/10/2025

Over 40 clinical and non-clinical staff came together on 23rd October in the Lawton House Digital Studio for a face to face induction session as an Agent of Change (ACE).

The session was facilitated by members of the Orbis Core Project Team and saw 40 ACEs from across a range of services come together. The ACE network is in the early stages of development so to have so many staff attend was fantastic. The session provided an opportunity to meet other ACE’s, share ideas and to hear more about the key focus areas for 2025/26, including Orbis.

The ACEs were treated to a personal welcome by the digital face of the Orbis project - Orbi - in his first outing as a moving, talking avatar. They also received initial induction training via the Combined Touchscreen Training (CTT) facility - in the specially designed Orbis Digital Training Room.

Agents of Change will support innovation and change across the Trust playing a crucial role in the successful rollout, training and overall adoption of systems that support clinical processes within their team or across the directorate.

Over 40 clinical and non-clinical staff came together on 23rd October in the Lawton House Digital Studio for a face to face induction session as an Agent of ...

27/10/2025

A recent partnership between our young person's inpatient unit at the Darwin Centre and Wavemaker Stoke has led to the addition of a brand-new Chromebook on the unit.

With this new equipment, the young people have been able to use the Chromebook to access courses from the Open University about health and nutrition and to search for recipes during their cooking sessions.

It's clear to see that the partnership and the Chromebook has already proven to be an invaluable resource for learning.

Thanks to Wavemaker for their support!

24/10/2025

NHS guidance states that during the autumn and winter, you need to get vitamin D from your diet because the sun is not strong enough for the body to make vitamin D.

But since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.

We’ve been sharing examples of staff members at the trust who take their vitamin D supplements to help them throughout the winter

23/10/2025

Quitting smoking will improve your health whatever your age, and no matter how long you've smoked.
Find out more about the benefits of quitting smoking here: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/why-quit-smoking/benefits-of-quitting-smoking/

22/10/2025

All adults and young people in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent can now chat to a mental health professional, at any time of the day or night, by sending a text to 📞07312 263117

This free text messaging service can provide text-based crisis intervention, emotional support, and signposting to appropriate resources or services, discretely and privately.

Read more: https://www.combined.nhs.uk/news/latest-updates/combined-healthcares-crisis-mental-health-text-service-offers-24-7-mental-health-support-via-text-message/